USA Change: Psych at 15

I do miss when the USA Network wasn't the Dick Wolf network.  They aired their share of movies (they're getting better now, but don't hold your breath on that) and showed respect for a number of original shows. There was WWE, The 4400, and Monk. A couple others but that was it. Kind of falling on the wayside given their past of having tons of original programming. But then you get to Psych, which celebrated 15 years on July 7th. It was a breath of fresh air and a quality show that was like Monk, but with their own takes. Without it, you don't see USA take chances on other pilots.

Created by Steve Franks (his only other credit is Big Daddy), it helped the network. The series focused on Shawn Spencer, a very intelligent man with a photographic memory thanks to his policeman father to look for the very fine details. He reports a crime and unfortunately taken to custody because it involved two criminals. To get out of it, he fakes that he is a psychic. Cue eight years of solving many crimes and going along for the ride. It's comedy enough for the pilot. But it grew and grew. Why did it get the following that it wound up getting?

Part of it I think is that it's not ultra serious. Look at prime time TV. Everyone wanted the next Law and Order or CSI show. There are serious crimes in Psych, but it's much more lighter toned. You get comfortable with the main characters and their pros and cons. Development is seen throughout it and the writers were able to cobble out many humorous moments. But it's not all being a joke. It picked and chose when to be serious, when to crack out the joke. Not 100 percent accuracy, but it landed more than splat. It didn't go overboard with references compared to some shows (cough Family Guy cough)

There is a charm to the show, which is why it has continued on since ending the last episode in 2014. Two films with a third one on the way. Universal knows it owes a lot to the cast and crew of Psych and the cult fanbase that has welcomed it in open arms. It is very much like a Twin Peaks in terms of love, which is fitting given they did an episode in tribute of it. I could go on about more, but I'd like to do a favorite seasons blog of it. Give it some credit at the very least. It made USA more lively and exciting when it wasn't bombarded with Law and Order reruns. 

Psych: The Movie Review

Now for something a little special. For a movie based on a TV show to work, you have to hope it stays faithful to the source material. Luckily for Psych, it had it's creator Steve Franks and main star James Roday writing the screenplay for what is an enjoyable Christmas fest while staying funny with the made the show a huge hit over a decade ago. There are gags that you remember, the banter between the characters, etc... All while solving a crime, it still feels down to earth compared to most ultra serious crime shows.

It certainly gets a good start to laughing when Shawn Spencer (Roday) has to deal with three gangster type guys while looking for jewelry, which if you get a chance to watch it, you will understand if you've seen the show. Cue a chase scene and the fake psychic relying on his old pal Gus (Dule Hill) to help him out of a jam. However, the real plot begins after that when a group lead by the Thin White Duke (Zachary Levi) does real damage to the police partner of Juliet O'Hara (Maggie Lawson) that lands him in the hospital. What does Duke want? Is he sending a message to the San Francisco Police Department? Or is there something that Juliet knows that warrants going after the partner?

Without getting too deep ruining the film and its story, Psych knows when to let loose and when to be serious. It's still Shawn and Gus bantering with each other, helping out both Juliet and Chief Vick (Kirsten Nelson), the latter having a quite a bit screen time compared to the show. There are a number of callbacks to the show, especially with a big twist that you wouldn't think would happen. These guys know when to surprise people, and I find it to be really effective.

This isn't just Roday and Hill leading the way withe comedy. There is quite a bit from their coroner friend, Woody Strode. (Kurt Fuller) He is still the same kind of the character like he was when introduced midway through the show's run, especially with what happened after the events of the series finale. Like Vick, Shawn's dad Henry (Corbin Bernsen) has a bit of screentime as well when he wants to help his son and future daughter in law rid of Duke and his cronies. He also gets himself a few funny bits, typically jabs from Shawn. We also get a chance to see Iris, Vick's daughter. as a bit of a troublemaker who doesn't want Juliet to tell her mother of the petty crimes she commits.

With that being said, one of the major things with this film is the relationship of Shawn and Juliet. Things are addressed very early about whether they are getting married or not though both perspectives. Juliet doesn't want to rush things, while Shawn still holds on to the past of his grandmother's ring. Still, through thick and thin, they still love each other and will help themselves together as they looked for the bad guys. Shawn will always be by her side, even if it means facing death right in front of them. I wish I could say more things about this film, but it's so hard not to spoil the important moments. Really, they develop the characters well enough to show that they are there for each other and willing to take on evil.

Also, one of the morals is about doing the right thing. It's something you have to consider. These characters are detectives, even if some aren't qualified. Throughout Psych's run, Shawn relied on lying, even though his photographic memory and ability to find the details typically netted him the bad guys. I find it amazing that they are willing to flesh him out more, though we do see a few funny things with doing the fake psychic act. With Juliet, she is someone that has to make the hard decisions. It is something they do show throughout the movie. She is a by the book detective in the show. A few mistakes here and there, but she does not mess around with following the rules. Still, they develop her a bit more and you see how it is gnawing at her and seeing how scared she is. They don't overboard with anything sappy or over dramatic, and I think the ending will leave you satisfied enough.

There are nods to the 80s with some of the references. Outside of the crime, Gus has himself a relationship with a woman (Jazmyn Simon, Hill's real life wife) who really can't keep her hands off of him. It is cute, but funny considering his track record with women. Obviously, headlining the guest starring group is Levi as Duke. He is evil, but funny at the same time. There is a bit of shallowness, but Psych has always been known for making humor in dark situations regardless of the bad guy. Other notables are Ralph Macchio reprising his cop character from the show and some WWE wrestlers, one of which includes Charlotte Flair as one of the bad guys. One disappointing thing is not seeing much of Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), but the crew didn't have much choice. Omundson suffered a stroke before filming, but his character still served a big purpose for Juliet and her attempts to solve the crime. Other than a couple awkward moments, this is A plus material.

If you can find it on the USA Network during this month, this is a no-brainer. Watch it. It is exactly like the show. You are going to laugh your ass off with some gut busting moments. This is almost like they didn't stop doing the show, which I will be gladly anticipating another movie if they continue to do more with these guys. A great way to finish off 2017 for television and film.

Score: 9 out of 10

Psych is Back: TV Movie for USA

Once a cable show is finished, odds are it's never going to get repeats unless you are obsessed with airing it like Chappelle's Show, which Comedy Central can't get over the cancellation in 2005 with 30 episodes. I feel the USA Network doesn't care about their original shows and acquired shows that aren't Law and Order and NCIS. That being said, they are going back to really the show that gave them more shows. Come December, there's going to be a new thing for Psych.

A summer show in July 2006, Psych followed the adventures and shenanigans of Shawn Spencer, played by James Roday. Shawn is a slacker who has a photographic memory thanks to police officer dad, Henry, who trained him to know every little detail in hopes of him being a cop. When he reports a crime and is believed to be the second criminal, he makes the fib that he is a psychic. With his buddy, Burton "Gus" Guster, the two work together, willingly or unwillingly, to help the Santa Barbara Police Department and outsmart bumbling lead detective Carlton Lassiter.

What makes Psych such a liked show is that it does the opposite. It's not your typical crime show where its ultra serious and there's no personality to anybody. For the show, it's filled with a lot of humor, wisecracks, and lots of 80s references. (though not as abusive about it like Family Guy) The characters all fit together in that sense of setting aside their differences and finding that criminal of the week while Shawn and Gus blunder their way through certain things. TVline put up a report last week that USA has given the green light for a television movie that will be set around the holidays.

The Christmas episodes were definitely some of the show's highlights. I'm expecting nothing less than a typical episode. The description that is mentioned is basically someone personal is being targeted. TVline reported that it is being written by Roday and the show's creator, Steve Franks. Roday will also reprise Shawn, as will Dule Hill as Gus. All six main cast members are slated for this project in the article. Timothy Omundson  and Corbin Bernsen are expected to be back as Lassiter and Henry. As will Maggie Lawson and Kirsten Nelson as Juliet O'Hara and Chief Karen Vick. Whether there's going to be some other big guest stars from the past returning is a matter of who was written into the script. Psych managed to get some big names to appear. That really came into full force when they got stars like Tim Curry and John Amos for their second season

The writers weren't afraid of pulling punches. All the main characters have had brushes with death almost. It's still a crime show, but ones that came very close were in the middle of the shows run. Case in point, watch the season finales from season three through six. That being said, it's nice USA hasn't completely forgotten about one of their shows. Especially at a time when their biggest shows prior to July 2006 were Monk and whatever WWE wrestling programs they had.

Even though the show has been off the air for over three years, it felt like Psych ended with an open ending that could lead to bringing it back for specials. In an era where everything is ultra serious with dull uninspired characters, it will feel like a breath of fresh air in December like it was when it debuted over a decade ago. Bring on the pineapples.